88-year-old is now a Swansboro business owner

By Thomas Brennan / Jacksonville Daily News

Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 07:05 PM.

After graduating from basic training, he served on the USS Hancock as a radio operator aboard the flight deck. It was on that flight deck during his service that he saw two things he will never forget.

Standing in his flight suit on Aug. 6, 1945, he saw Little Boy and Fat Man — two atomic bombs, being flown overhead on their way to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. He didn’t know at the time the devastation they would cause.

After a moment of silence Teachey didn’t wish to talk about Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the Japanese cities that lost 150,000 to 246,000 civilians when the atomic bombs were dropped.

Teachey can be found most days lounging in his rolling chair with his dog by his side behind the front counter of Western Auto at 636 W Corbett Ave., in Swansboro where he still works six days a week. The business is something he started nearly 52 years ago and now shares with his sons.

He’s spent more than a half a century in the seaside town where he raised a family, married and buried the love of his life, Robin, and watched their three children start families of their own. All of this came after his time in the Navy, which he credits for making him the man he is today.

Seventy years ago, Teachey joined the Navy. Seventy years ago, he went to war. While the memories of his days in service may have faded, the sense of pride he feels for having served hasn’t dimmed.

SWANSBORO — As the “Greatest Generation” grows older, with most in their mid to late 80s, fewer veterans are alive to tell their story. Even for those who still are, some memories are too hazy to remember and others are too painful to forget.

Some participated in the European campaign, others in the Pacific. Some have seen combat, while others did not. Regardless of where, when and how they served, World War II veterans have a story to be told.

Matthew Teachey is one of them.

The war fades more and more in his mind each day, but Teachey says he will never forget the sense of honor he felt while serving.

Or the dancing.

If you’ve ever gone dancing on the waterfront in downtown Swansboro, you may have seen the 88-year-old dancing with his girlfriend. Teachey learned those dance moves after he joined the Navy at the height of World War II.

According to his family, he has always had a passion for dancing since as far back as they can remember, although the origins of his dance moves are unknown. While he never talked much about the war, his children are extremely proud of his service, they said.

After graduating from basic training, he served on the USS Hancock as a radio operator aboard the flight deck. It was on that flight deck during his service that he saw two things he will never forget.

Standing in his flight suit on Aug. 6, 1945, he saw Little Boy and Fat Man — two atomic bombs, being flown overhead on their way to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. He didn’t know at the time the devastation they would cause.

After a moment of silence Teachey didn’t wish to talk about Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the Japanese cities that lost 150,000 to 246,000 civilians when the atomic bombs were dropped.

Teachey can be found most days lounging in his rolling chair with his dog by his side behind the front counter of Western Auto at 636 W Corbett Ave., in Swansboro where he still works six days a week. The business is something he started nearly 52 years ago and now shares with his sons.

He’s spent more than a half a century in the seaside town where he raised a family, married and buried the love of his life, Robin, and watched their three children start families of their own. All of this came after his time in the Navy, which he credits for making him the man he is today.

Seventy years ago, Teachey joined the Navy. Seventy years ago, he went to war. While the memories of his days in service may have faded, the sense of pride he feels for having served hasn’t dimmed.

You can reach Thomas Brennan at 910-219-8453 or thomas.brennan@jdnews.com.